Designation: D1644 − 01 (Reapproved 2012)

Standard Test Methods for

Nonvolatile Content of Varnishes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1644; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 10-mL syringe without a needle, and from this weigh by

1.1 These test methods determine the fraction of a varnish
that is nonvolatile at the temperature of the test while volatile
solvents are driven off. It is sometimes an approximate
measure of the film-forming matter in a varnish.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
statement, see Section 3.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 These test methods are applicable to varnish and are
useful to producers and users in determining nonvolatile
content and are sometimes an appropriate measure of the
film-forming matter in varnish.
3. Hazards
3.1 Since the flash points of some of the solvents used in
coatings and related products are below the temperature of the
test, care should be exercised that the lower explosive limits of
the solvents are not exceeded. The amount of solvent in the
oven atmosphere at any one time will depend on the number of
tests (pans) in the oven, the percent nonvolatile of the samples,
the size of the oven, the type of oven (mechanical or gravity
convection) and the air changes per hour.
TEST METHOD A—3 h AT 105°C
4. Procedure
4.1 Place a portion of the thoroughly mixed sample in a
stoppered bottle, or alternatively, in a weighing pipet or a
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint
Materials.
Current edition approved June 1, 2012. Published July 2012. Originally approved
in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D1644 – 01 (2006). DOI:
10.1520/D1644-01R12.
difference 1.2 6 0.1 g into a tared flat-bottomed metal or glass
dish (Note 1), 80 to 100 mm in diameter and 5 to 10 mm in
depth, such as friction-top can covers, ointment boxes, or petri
dishes.
NOTE 1—The term “tared, flat-bottomed dish” implies that the empty
dish has no measurable weight change when subjected to the same heat
schedule as prescribed for the dish containing the specimen. If this is
found to be not so, then more suitable vessels must be found, or
corrections applied.
4.2 By gentle tilting, spread the specimen over the bottom of
the dish and heat for 3 h in a ventilated oven maintained at 105
6 2°C. If necessary, a piece of stout wire can be included in the
tare of the dish and used at intervals to break up skins by
stirring during the heating period. Cool in a desiccator and
weigh the dish.
5. Calculation
5.1 Calculate the percent of nonvolatile matter NV as
follows (Note 2):
NV 5 @ ~ C 2 A ! /S # 3 100 (1)
where:
A = weight of dish, g,
S = weight of specimen used, g, and
C = weight of dish and contents after heating, g.
NOTE 2—Determinations of nonvolatile matter by this test method may
give high results due either to incomplete elimination of volatile matter or
to absorption of oxygen by oxidizing-type varnishes.
6. Report
6.1 Report the nonvolatile matter of the sample to the
nearest 0.1 %.
TEST METHOD B—10 min at 150°C
7. Apparatus
7.1 Sample Transfer Device, a 2 or 5-mL Luer syringe.
7.2 Solids Dish, made from metal foil of such design as to
ensure reasonably good contact of the bottom surface when
placed on the hot plate. Condition the dish for at least 10 min
at 150°C or higher; then store in a desiccator.

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 D1644 − 01 (2012)
7.3 Hot-Plate, capable of maintaining a surface temperature Weight of Nonvolatile Residue
of 150 6 3.5°C (302 6 6°F). Diameter of Dish 45 mm 100 mm
For a 2.5-mil varnish film 0.12 g 0.60 g
For a 5-mil varnish film 0.25 g 1.20 g
8. Procedure 8.2 Place the dish on the hot plate at 150 6 3.5°C for 10
8.1 Weigh by difference from the syringe into a tared solids min. Cool to room temperature in a desiccator, then reweigh.
dish, sufficient sample to form a 65 to 125–µm (2.5 to 5.0–mil) 9. Calculation
thick nonvolatile residue. Use a minimum of toluene to
9.1 Calculate the nonvolatile matter as described in Section
distribute the specimen, by gentle swirling uniformly, over the 5.
bottom of the dish.
10. Report
NOTE 3—Specimen size limits may be estimated from the following
table, which was calculated for a material having nonvolatile matter with
10.1 Report the nonvolatile matter of the sample to the
a specific gravity of 1.3: nearest 0.1 %.
11. Keywords
11.1 nonvolatile matter content; varnishes

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